Devoid of others though the alley was, Elizabeth did not think it would long remain empty, so she hurried her companion along eager to escape from Mr. Wickham’s notice.
“Do you suppose he saw us?” asked Miss de Bourgh as they rushed through the alley.
“I am certain I cannot say,” replied Elizabeth, looking about to get her bearings.
Though she did not frequent the alleys of Meryton, she knew the town well enough to guess approximately where this one would lead, and she did not like what little she remembered. Unless she was much mistaken, the alley wound behind several buildings on Meryton’s main street and then exited back on the same street some distance down from where they had entered. It might be enough, but Elizabeth did not wish to chance walking right into Mr. Wickham’s clutches.
“It appears he didnotsee us,” said Miss de Bourgh, glancing behind them. “If he had, he would be hard on our heels even now.”
“Yes, I suppose you must be correct,” said Elizabeth, still considering what they might do to avoid Mr. Wickham.
The distance was not great, and as they crossed it in haste, little time elapsed from when they had escaped the carriage. The traffic of the approaching boulevard provoked Elizabeth’s caution as she slowed and held out a hand for her companion, motioning her to stop and wait.
“Please remain hidden. I shall go to the street and see if Mr. Wickham is still there. If he is, we may be best to watch him from here, for it is not so far that he would not see us.”
Miss de Bourgh nodded her assent, allowing Elizabeth to do as she had suggested. Knowing the man would be more likely to be alerted to any attempt at appearing stealthy, Elizabeth boldly walked out into the street and stopped by a nearby shop, as if looking through the windows at the wares held within. It was well Miss de Bourgh remained in the alley, for Mr. Wickham was still standing beside the carriage, his voice carrying even to Elizabeth’s position down the street, for he was yelling, red-faced and furious.
It seemed he blamed the carriage driver for not keeping his victim a prisoner within the vehicle, for he appeared to be demanding where Miss de Bourgh went. To Elizabeth’s great relief, the carriage driver did not appear to have witnessed their escape either, for his manner was confused, and not a little sullen. A few moments later, they separated, each walking in the opposite direction down the street, Mr. Wickham walking away from Elizabeth’s position while the driver approached her.
Having seen enough, Elizabeth stepped away from the shop and returned to the alley, watching the progress of the driver as he made his way down the street. He did not enter the buildings into which he peered, but it was clear he was attempting to see if Miss de Bourgh had entered one of them, as Mr. Wickham was doing in the opposite direction.
“The driver approaches us,” said Elizabeth when she regained the safety of the alley. “They separated and are attempting to locate you in the shops along the street.”
Considering this for a long moment, Miss de Bourgh ventured: “Perhaps it would be best to walk north and act as if there is nothing amiss. Surely there would be safety among the denizens of this town.”
“Perhaps,” said Elizabeth, uncertain of the best course of action. “But I think we should leave that as a last resort. Doing so would provoke gossip; I doubt your lady mother would approveof such open defiance of all that is proper.”
“No, I cannot suppose she would,” said Miss de Bourgh, though some undefinable tension had taken hold of her.
Elizabeth returned her attention to the street, noting the approach of the carriage driver. The man appeared just as sullen as he had when Mr. Wickham had berated him, and his attention to his business was slipshod at best. Elizabeth waited, knowing they would need to seek refuge down the alley should he come so far, but she did not wish to do so in case Mr. Wickham also discovered the alley and investigated.
“Tell me, Miss Bennet,” said Miss de Bourgh, interrupting Elizabeth’s observation, “why you would take such trouble as this to assist me.”
Curious why she would ask, Elizabeth turned to regard her. “You are an acquaintance, Miss de Bourgh. Is that not reason enough?”
An impatient shake of the woman’s head met Elizabeth’s comment. “An acquaintance, perhaps, but before today we have not exchanged more than a handful of words. I am aware of what you think of my mother, and suspect you think little better of my cousin, Darcy.”
Astonished, Elizabeth regarded her, wondering how she could respond. “I know not what you mean.”
This time her companion watched her with annoyance. “My mother, Miss Bennet, has that effect on others, for her character all but guarantees it. As for my cousin, my opinion is less certain. Yet I observed you in company with him and noted your coldness toward him. I have been little in society and cannot know your opinion, but my other cousin has told me that Darcy gives offense more than he ought. I assumed he offended you in some way.”
“Even if he has,” replied Elizabeth, surprised that Miss de Bourgh had hit so near to the mark, “I would not refuse to giveaid when I supposed another required it. Given what Mr. Darcy told me of Mr. Wickham, I could not in good conscience fail to act.”
“Altruism, it appears, is not dead,” murmured Miss de Bourgh.
Elizabeth turned again from her study of the street. “Do you suspect me of lying?”
“Not at all,” replied Miss de Bourgh. She appeared faintly apologetic. “You must understand I am not accustomed to others putting themselves out in such cases as these. Given I already had doubts about the wisdom of my actions, your warning heightened my alarm. I cannot be more grateful to you for your persuasion.”
Gratitude Miss de Bourgh professed, but Elizabeth could not hear the timbre of it in her voice. Whether she was simply unaccustomed to speaking to apologize, offer her thanks, or any other customary human emotion Elizabeth could not be certain. With a mother like Lady Catherine who coddled her and allowed her no interaction with anyone she did not choose Elizabeth supposed it was a possibility. It would not do to allow any hint of her thoughts to escape, however, so she chose a simple response.
“You are welcome, Miss de Bourgh. I could not simply leave you to your fate when it may be within my power to assist.”
The driver, it appeared, had given up his search, for he was now making his way back to his coach. With any luck, perhaps he would decide discretion was the better part of valor and leave this place. Regardless, the time to chance a retreat was approaching, and Elizabeth meant to take the opportunity when it presented itself.
When she turned and informed her companion of this, Miss de Bourgh nodded. Yet her mind did not appear to be on the situation, for she regarded Elizabeth with an expression she could not interpret but seemed to be odd.
“If you will pardon me, Miss Bennet,” said Miss de Bourgh, “as we are partners in crime at the moment, perhaps it would be best to dispense with formality.”
